Postdoctoral Associate/Research Scientist - Physics

The Virginia Tech Physics Department invites applications for one postdoctoral associate/research scientist to work with Dr. Vsevolod Ivanov and Dr. Patrick Huber on the Quantum Sensing of Neutrinos (QuSen) project sponsored by DARPA. The successful candidate will conduct research in the areas of computational physics with the goal to develop a framework for understanding excess energy from defect formation in neutrino detectors. Duties may include supervising and coordinating the work of other researchers and personnel, including graduate and undergraduate students, as well as developing future efforts. The successful candidate will be based in Blacksburg, VA, but may be required to travel for conference presentations and international collaboration.

Successful candidates at the Research Scientist level will have additional responsibilities with mentoring junior group members, as well as assisting the PIs with grant proposals.

The successful candidate will be expected to interact with the broader quantum community at Virginia Tech, which includes the Center for Neutrino Physics, the Virginia Tech Center for Quantum Information Science and Engineering (vtq.vt.edu), the Center of Quantum Architecture and Software Development within the VT Innovation Campus, as well as the Quantum Economic Development Consortium (QED-C), of which Virginia Tech is a member.

The successful applicant must hold a Ph.D. in physics, material science, or a related field.
* Strong verbal and written communication skills that are reinforced by active listening skills
* Advanced knowledge of the principles of physics
* Advanced knowledge of the methods and techniques used for research in computational condensed matter physics
* Demonstrated experience of first-principles simulation codes such as VASP, Quantum Espresso, Wien2k or others
* Demonstrated experience with phonon and exciton calculations and related properties
* Research Scientist candidates must have previous postdoctoral research experience

* Demonstrated knowledge of simulating solid state defects, including formation processes with nudged elastic band, molecular dynamics, or related methods

Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Restricted

Commensurate with experience

40 hours - exempt position 

10/25/2025

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.

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